Andrew Kraemer
Ever since his earliest recollection Andrew Kraemer has resided on the farm where he now lives, in Hanover township, Crawford county. He has been intimately connected with the agricultural interests of the county ever since his boyhood and is recognized as one of the progressive and enterprising men who may be depended upon at all times to assist in the development of this section.
He was born in Clinton county, Iowa, August 29, 1874, a son of John and Anna (Miller ) Kraemer, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was born in May, 1836, a son of Andrew and Magdalena Kraemer, the former of whom died at the age of eighty-one and the latter at seventy-three years of age. There were three children in their family, John, Bernard and Nicholas, the last two of whom are now deceased.
John Kraemer, the father of our subject, came to America in 1866, being then thirty years of age, and after working for a year in a factory in Chicago, removed to Clinton county, Iowa, and was employed for seven years on farms and in a sawmill. He began farming on his own account in Clinton county, with such favorable results that in 1877 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Crawford county which he still owns.
After taking up his residence upon this land he brought it to a high state of cultivation and also increased his holdings until he became the owner of a valuable farm of four hundred and eighty acres on sections 20 and 17, Hanover township, becoming recognized as one of the leading farmers in his part of the county.
On the 12th of February, 1872, in Clinton county, John Kraemer was married to Miss Anna Miller, who was born in Germany, November 13, 1839, a daughter of Antony and Anna (Casper) Miller. The parents both died in Germany, the father passing away at forty years of age and the mother when she had reached the age of forty-eight years. There were four children in their family: Anna; Nicholas, now a retired farmer of Nebraska; and Nicholas and Margaret, both of whom are deceased.
Four children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kraemer, one of whom died in infancy. The others are: Andrew the subject of this review; Julia, the widow of Henry Kohles, who was born July 24. 1876, and is now living at home; and Katherine, who was born May 15. 1879. and is now living at home.
The father is now living retired having turned over the active management of the farm to his son. Politically he is identified with the democratic party but has never sought public office, although he served very acceptably as road supervisor of his township for four years and also as member of the school board for three years. He and his family are stanch members of the Catholic church.
Andrew Kraemer was reared on the old homestead and received his education in the district schools, becoming acquainted under his father with the various details of agriculture and stock-raising. Being the only son in the family, he remained at home and since the retirement of his father, in 1904, has had active charge of the farm, managing its affairs in such a way as to indicate special talent for his responsibility. In connection with general farming he is also interested in stock-raising and has upon the place a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs. He has made a number of improvements upon the farm, adding greatly to its value and productiveness.
On the 24th of July, 1906 Mr. Kraemer was united in marriage to Miss Jennie I. Mitchell, who was born at Dunlap, Iowa, a daughter of James and Jane (McGill) Mitchell, both of whom were born in County Antrim, Ireland. The father came to America early in the '40s and the mother twenty years later. They were married in Ireland. In their family were twelve children, one of whom died in infancy. The others were: Daniel and James, both residents of Omaha, Nebraska; John, of Seattle; Mary, the widow of Ira L. Tripp, of Omaha; Elizabeth, the wife of Nicholas Miller, of Crawford county; Charley, a railroad man of Omaha; Jennie I., now the wife of Andrew Kraemer; Maggie, who became the wife of John Coakley and is now deceased; and Arthur, Edward and Robert, all of whom are deceased.
Three children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kraemer, namely: Jane Katherine, who was born June 17, 1907; Anna Lucile, born July 17, 1908, and John James, who was born August 6, 1909, and passed away April 17, 1910. Mrs. Kraemer received a college education and was a popular and highly successful school teacher, in which vocation she continued for six years previous to her marriage.
A worthy son of sturdy parentage, Mr. Kraemer has followed in the footsteps of his father and is carrying forward the work upon which the latter started so successfully many years ago. Being endowed with an indomitable energy, clear judgment and a laudable ambition to acquit himself honorably in everything, he gives promise of continued prosperity and of increasing usefulness to the community in the; years to come. He gives his support to the republican party and although he has never sought the emoluments of office, he has served most creditably for three years upon the school board. He and his family are faithful members of the Catholic church.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.